Bank of America has recruited retired US army general Tommy Franks as a director. The former commander-in-chief of the US military campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan will join the bank next month.

The bank said Franks, who spent 40 years in the US military and was commander-in-chief of the US central command, was recruited because of his leadership experience.

Ken Lewis, chairman and chief executive of Bank of America, said: "Tommy Franks' experience managing large, very complex operations and logistics will be invaluable. This, coupled with his ability to develop strategy and lead others, makes him an ideal director for a corporation of our size and complexity."

Franks, a four-star general, has been richly decorated for his military career. He has three Purple Heart awards and is a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He was also awarded the highest US civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Former US secretary of state Colin Powell joined Californian venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers in July last year as a strategic limited partner.